Giacomo Wins in Italy, Estrellas Barcelona Draws a Crowd

Giacomo Grabs IPT Title

An impressive 715 entries were collected during the Italian Poker Tour‘s recent €700 accumulator event creating a total prizepool of €436,937.

Because players were able to merge multiple Day 1 stacks ahead of Day 2 the event proved extremely popular, but when the masses had dispersed a lone local in the form of Claudio Di Giacomo stood victorious.

Having made his way past a glut of players, Giacomo had to overcome some tough opposition in order to secure his first IPT title and a €90,000 payday.

Indeed, by the time seven players had hit the rail only Team PokerStars pro Pier Paolo Fabretti stood in Giacomo’s way. Having already enjoyed success on the IPT, including a win in the IPT Perla €10,000 High Roller and in Nova Gorcia, Fabretti was always going to be a tough opponent for Giacomo.

However, despite a spirited fight by the professional grinder, he was unable to overcome Giacomo and eventually succumbed to his onslaught as he soared to the biggest win of his career.

IPT Nova Gorcia Final table payouts:

1. Claudio Di Giacomo – €90,000

2. Pier Paolo Fabretti – €70,000

3. Fabrizio D’Agostino- €55,000

4. Andre Lazar – €30,000

5. Dario Sammartino – €24,000

6. Andre Benelli – €19,000

7. Walter Coan – €14,000

8. Marco Venturi – €10,837

Crowds Gather for ESPT Barcelona

Following the EPT’s announcement that they are fast approaching the €500,000,000 payout mark, many pros have taken to the felt for the opening events of EPT Barcelona.

While the €5,300 Main Event will be the one tournament every pro is  focused on, the €1,100 Estrellas Poker Tour event is one which has proved hugely popular.

Last season the tournament attracted 1,000 players and this time around more than 1,500 lined up for Day 1A and 1B.

Among those in the early offing on Day 1A was Eugene Katchalov, but as the day’s 676 players were gradually whittled down to around 250 the PokerStars pro was unable to keep pace with the action.

Of those making their way through the day the likes of Juan Manuel Pastor, Ruben Sanchez, Ben Warrington and Sergio Aido will be amongst the most threatening heading into the second session.

Today’s action has seen an alternate list open up with the organisers working hard to ensure the event becomes one of the most successful in the ESPT’s history.